Yamma Bridge set to connect new underground station with surrounding communities

The 480m bridge is part of the Cross River Rail project at Boggo Road station in Dutton Park and will link with the surrounding health, science and education precinct.

A massive new pedestrian and cycle bridge under construction as part of the transformative Cross River Rail project at Boggo Road station in Dutton Park has been described as a game-changer for locals, students and workers.

The 480m structure has been named Yamma Bridge after the word yamma, which means arm in the Yagara language, and in recognition of the connection it will provide between the future Cross River Rail underground station and the surrounding communities.

A render of the bridge at Boggo Road station in Dutton Park, which is part of the Cross River Rail project.

The bridge spans freight and passenger rail lines and will link the underground station, existing Park Road railway station and Boggo Road bus station to the Princess Alexandra Hospital busway station, and the surrounding health, science and education precinct.

Cross River Rail Delivery Authority chief executive Graeme Newton said as construction progressed on the Yamma Bridge, it was already becoming an iconic landmark for the local area.

“It will be a game-changer for locals, students and workers, connecting the new Cross River Rail underground station, the busway and the world-class ecosciences precinct with the PA Hospital precinct,” he said.

“It will also encourage people to walk, ride or cycle, especially to nearby Brisbane South State Secondary College and Dutton Park State School.

A render showing the bridge, which will span passenger and freight rail lines.

“Just like an arm reaching for a friend or a loved one, the Yamma Bridge will extend over freight and passenger rail lines to connect all the key parts of the local community.

“Thank you to everyone involved for contributing to such a fitting and meaningful name for what is a critical piece of infrastructure for the community.”

The name – pronounced yumma – was chosen after an extensive process that involved around 250 community submissions, a naming committee of local community representatives and consultation with traditional owners, including local Yagara elder, language and cultural custodian Gaja Kerry Charlton.

“Yamma means arm and is the shape of the bridge, which reaches out to bring people together,” she said.

Ongoing work on the Cross River Rail project at the Boggo Rd site, Dutton Park.

Cross River Rail’s scope of work at Boggo Road includes construction of the pedestrian and cycle bridge, as well as the nearby underground station.

Mr Newton said significant progress was being made on the bridge, with the main steel structure assembly completed.

Crews are working on installing lifts on both sides of the bridge and other finishes, including protection screens, lighting and a canopy roof.

The bridge is expected to open in line with Cross River Rail in 2026.

FAST FACTS

• The cable stay bridge is about 480m, with the cable stay spire about 43m.

• The main deck level will be about 14m above the ground, and up to 6.25m wide.

• There are more than 1300 tonnes of steel, 1.2km of hand rails, 43m pylons, and 683m of cable stay.

• Key features include lifts on the eastern and western sides, cycling and pedestrian paths, and seating and rest stops.

• The western entry will be via a path off Peter Doherty St, with the bridge linking into the existing bikeway near Princess Alexandra Hospital busway station.

The bridge will be about 480m long with the cable stay spire rising 43m, as illustrated in this render.

ON TRACK FOR RAIL PROJECT SUCCESS

Workers on the Cross River Rail project have been able to achieve an incredible amount of work during recent track closures.

Cross River Rail Delivery Authority chief executive Graeme Newton said a huge scale of work was achieved during the three week period.

“The track closures have allowed crews to undertake an incredible amount of work safely and efficiently in the rail corridor,” he said.

“From laying hundreds of metres of track, to installing more than a kilometre of new overhead electrical wiring and kilometres of new cables in the rail corridor, this work just isn’t possible when trains are running.

Yamma Bridge under construction at Cross River Rail’s Boggo Rd site, Dutton Park.

“While the work was deliberately scheduled during a quieter part of the year, we do appreciate some people had to change how they got around during that time.”

South of Brisbane, 920m of new track was installed as well as five new turnouts, a set up that allows trains to switch tracks, which included 1200 sleepers and more than 4000 tonnes of ballast.

Other work included about 1300m of new overhead wires installed and put into use, and new signalling equipment.

Three tracks covering 600m were removed and reinstated, including one turnout, north of the city. Other work included six overhead electrical line mast foundations being installed, and 200m of signal cabling relocated into protective troughing.

Final works were also completed on the now-open accessible Rocklea station and station accessibility upgrade works on the Cleveland line.

“We thank everyone for their patience while this critical work was carried out,” Mr Newton said.